Freeman a Frontrunner for West
Tigers Coaching Role

In Sydney, Freeman and Paul Langmack have been signalled out as top candidates to replace Terry Lamb at the Wests Tigers.

Last week Lamb, who pipped Freeman for the job, demanded an answer on his coaching future and the franchise's board told him he wasn't wanted next year.

Freeman yesterday confirmed the coaching job appealed but said he would be waiting for the club to approach him rather than chasing the job.

"In today's times, it is a case of whether they want you or they don't want you," he said.

"If they think I am the right man for the job, they will come and get me."

Freeman has strong ties to the old Balmain Tigers club which is part of the merged NRL franchise. The Tigers were his first Sydney club and his home for four seasons.

"You always have a soft spot for the first club you played at and I have been back there helping out with the coaching last year and this year," he said. "I have been doing some skills and drills and individual coaching.

"It (the job) does appeal to me."

Freeman said the Wests Tigers board was meeting this week and he would watch developments.

If he was appointed, Freeman believed he could could still take the Kiwis on their end-of-season tour to the northern hemisphere.

Organisation of the tour was nearly complete and he would have completed much of the preparations for the Tigers' season.

"Most NRL sides don't start training till the end of October or early November," he said.